Author: Pervaiz Mughal

The ambassador thanked Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani for attending, saying the theory put people at the heart of party leadership and governance By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said on Wednesday that President Xi Jinping’s theory of party building was rooted in what he described as truth and ethical principles, and had placed people’s welfare at the centre of governance. Speaking at a symposium on Xi Jinping’s party-building theory, Jiang said the Communist Party of China had focused on improving people’s lives by following the principles outlined in the theory. The ambassador thanked Senate Chairman…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid tribute to the contributions of minority communities to Pakistan’s creation, development and defence, saying all citizens should work together to build and strengthen the country without discrimination on the basis of religion. The prime minister was addressing a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad to mark National Minorities’ Day. Federal ministers, members of parliament and prominent representatives of minority communities attended the event. Shehbaz said minority communities had stood alongside Muslims and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during the Pakistan Movement and had continued to play a constructive…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have renewed their Fulbright-Higher Education Commission partnership, with the program set to support 66 Pakistani PhD scholars over the next five years. The agreement was signed between the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan. It will cover the period from financial year 2026-27 to financial year 2031-32. The renewed partnership will continue a range of academic and professional exchange programs. These will include the Fulbright Master’s and PhD programs, the Visiting Scholar Program for post-doctoral scholars, the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program and the…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamir Raza has been awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), one of Pakistan’s highest military honours. President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award on General Raza at a ceremony held at the President’s House in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the chiefs of the armed forces attended the ceremony. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the chairman of the Senate, federal ministers and other senior government officials were also present. The award ceremony recognised General Raza’s services in his role as commander of the National Strategic Command.#Pakistan…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) and OIC-COMSTECH on Monday agreed to strengthen cooperation on youth empowerment, digital skills and entrepreneurship, with plans to establish a joint committee to coordinate initiatives targeting young people in Pakistan and other OIC member states. The understanding was reached during a meeting between PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and OIC-COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad. Senior officials from both sides also attended the meeting. The two sides agreed to work together, in line with the vision of the prime minister for…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said petrol remains expensive in Pakistan, but the government has ensured that no shortage has been allowed to develop. In a statement, Malik said the situation in the neighbouring country had become so difficult that people were reportedly being given only two litres of petrol after showing their identity cards. The federal minister said the government had faced economic challenges during the Iran-US conflict, but had taken measures to ensure the continued availability of fuel in Pakistan. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken difficult decisions to put…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Sunday and exchanged views on the regional situation, including the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. According to a statement shared by Dar, the two foreign ministers discussed developments affecting regional peace and security. Dar briefed Anand on the essence of the Makkah agreement and the joint resolve of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to contribute to peace, stability and security in the region. The agreement between the three countries was also…

Dar chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization in Islamabad, where progress on the proposed sale of three power distribution companies was reviewed By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directed authorities to accelerate the privatization process and take timely decisions to advance the government’s structural reform agenda. Dar chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization in Islamabad, where progress on the proposed privatization of three power distribution companies was reviewed. The meeting examined the status of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Gujranwala Electric…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for ASEAN’s efforts to promote peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the region. In a message marking the 59th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Dar said Pakistan remained committed to working closely with ASEAN to advance a shared vision of a peaceful, prosperous and integrated region. On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, the deputy prime minister extended felicitations to ASEAN on the anniversary. He also congratulated ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn for his efforts to advance…

Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Vice-chancellors and rectors of federal universities and higher education institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi met at Air University in Islamabad to discuss challenges facing Pakistan’s higher education sector and ways to improve academic standards, research and institutional cooperation. The monthly meeting was attended by Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar as the chief guest, along with senior HEC officials. Air University Vice-Chancellor Air Marshal (retd) Abdul Moeed Khan welcomed the university leaders and stressed the need for institutions to work together and share successful practices. Addressing the meeting, Akhtar called on universities to give…